• Rare Rex JAP V-twin, only made for a couple of years in the early 1910s
• Over 110 years old and still wearing its original Norfolk registration number
• Supplied with a duplicate buff log book issued in 1960 and a current V5C

Rex was one of the earliest manufacturers of motorcycles in Britain, produced by the Birmingham Motor Manufacturing and Supply Company from 1900 and making its debut at the National Show at Crystal Palace, London. They soon merged with a Coventry maker of bicycles and cars named Allard, proudly claiming to be 'The King of British Motors', and the firm became a true innovator in design and development. Rex-JAP motorcycles were produced between 1912 to 1916 and sold by the Premier Motor Co of Birmingham with a range of singles and V-twins using JAP engines in their existing frames. Initially, the machines had two-speeds and belt drive but by 1914 the V-twins were equipped with three speeds and chain drive. Production of the Rex JAP range continued until 1916 but the marque did not re-appear after WWI with Rex then amalgamating with Acme Motorcycles in 1922 to form 'Rex Acme'. This new company survived until 1933 and was considered in its day to be one of the greatest names in the British motorcycle industry.

This fascinating project was inherited by its current owner from a deceased estate in 2020 and looks to have been stripped-down many years ago. Unfortunately, not much is known of its history, however, the registration number was issued in Norfolk and it appears to have spent all of its life in the region. It is offered for auction along with a duplicate/continuation buff log book issued in 1960 that states its date of first registration being the 1^st of January 1921, this seems to be a regular default date for bikes sold before then. Looking at research online, it appears to be circa 1911-1912, the log book also confusingly suggests it is a 350cc but this is more likely a misinterpretation of 3 1/2hp. In the early part of the last century vehicles were very often identified by their power output as opposed to capacity. As well as the buff log book, the bike comes supplied with a current V5C.